HOT WATER MUSIC
''EXISTER''
MAY 15 2012
38:06
*******************
1 Mainline 02:32
2 Boy, You're Gonna Hurt Someone 02:34
3 State of Grace 02:20
4 Drown In It 02:43
5 Drag My Body 03:21
6 Safety 02:50
7 Exister 03:01
8 Wrong Way 03:47
9 Take No Prisoners 03:13
10 Pledge Wore Thin 03:01
11 No End Left In Sight 03:15
12 The Traps 02:47
13 Paid In Full 02:34
*******************
Chuck Ragan - guitar, vocals
Chris Wollard - guitar, vocals
Jason Black - bass
George Rebelo - drums
Bill Stevenson - backing vocals
Jon Snodgrass - backing vocals
*******************
REVIEW/AMG
Gregory Heaney
Caught somewhere between showing their age and showcasing their experience, Hot Water Music makes their return with Exister, their first album of new material since 2004. Like running into an old friend for the first time after an extended absence, the album is recognizably HWM, while feeling different enough that it's clear some time has passed. Stylistically, the band's sound feels more or less intact, with its bouncy blend of pop punk energy and post-hardcore noodling coming together nicely. What feels different about the whole thing is the overall vibe at work on the album, which feels more weathered and mature than their previous work. It's clear that the bandmembers' time apart from one another has changed them, but that's not really such a bad thing. The most noticeable difference is Chuck Ragan, whose voice sounds gruffer and more forlorn than ever, something he probably owes to the time he's spent out in more folk/roots rock-oriented waters. This change in his style adds a feeling of wisdom to his vocals, giving him an aged sense of authority in his delivery that makes you want to listen to what he's got to tell you. Though Hot Water Music are, unsurprisingly, not the same band they were eight years ago, it turns out that's not such a bad thing. While the world might miss the raw energy and exuberance of their earlier work, the more precise and mature band found on Exister is still as effective, and is definitely one that fans will want to stop and catch up with.
*******************
BIOGRAPHY/AMG
Jason Ankeny
Finding the Rhythms
The Gainesville, Florida-based post-hardcore quartet Hot Water Music were formed in 1994 by bassist Jason Black, drummer George Rebelo, and singer/guitarists Chuck Ragan and Chris Wollard. Debuting in 1995 with the 7" "Eating the Filler," they soon returned with the EP Push for Coin, rounding out the year with the release of their first full-length effort, Finding the Rhythms, on No Idea. Fuel for the Hate Game followed in 1996, but in the wake of their third album, Forever and Counting, Hot Water Music disbanded. The group soon re-formed, however, with a series of split singles as well as a new 7" single, "Alachua," spread across 1998. The following year saw the release of a new studio album, No Division, as well as the Live at the Hardback set and the Moonpies for Misfits EP. Wollard and Rebelo also teamed on the side project Blacktop Cadence.
A Flight and a Crash
Flight and a Crash marked the band's first release for Epitaph and of the new millennium, soon followed by 2002's Caution. The roundup compilation Never Ender appeared in early 2004, and The New What Next followed that fall. Around the same time, No Idea also released the full-length debut of Ragan and Wollard's acoustic side project with Samantha Jones (of Bitchin'), Rumbleseat. Hot Water Music took an extended break in spring 2005, allowing Ragan to devote his time to life outside of the band. Meanwhile, the remaining bandmates went on to form the Draft with Todd Rockhill, and subsequent nationwide touring followed. A formal announcement appeared in May 2006 that HWM had officially called it quits, and the Draft continued full-time as Ragan began to issue solo acoustic material. The split didn't last long, however; Hot Water Music announced their reunion in late 2007 and embarked on a tour the following year, while No Idea issued the rarities collection Till the Wheels Fall Off that January. Exister, their first album of new material since 2004, arrived on Rise Records in 2012.
********************
WEBSITE
********************
TO THE TOP
********************
''EXISTER''
MAY 15 2012
38:06
*******************
1 Mainline 02:32
2 Boy, You're Gonna Hurt Someone 02:34
3 State of Grace 02:20
4 Drown In It 02:43
5 Drag My Body 03:21
6 Safety 02:50
7 Exister 03:01
8 Wrong Way 03:47
9 Take No Prisoners 03:13
10 Pledge Wore Thin 03:01
11 No End Left In Sight 03:15
12 The Traps 02:47
13 Paid In Full 02:34
*******************
Chuck Ragan - guitar, vocals
Chris Wollard - guitar, vocals
Jason Black - bass
George Rebelo - drums
Bill Stevenson - backing vocals
Jon Snodgrass - backing vocals
*******************
REVIEW/AMG
Gregory Heaney
Caught somewhere between showing their age and showcasing their experience, Hot Water Music makes their return with Exister, their first album of new material since 2004. Like running into an old friend for the first time after an extended absence, the album is recognizably HWM, while feeling different enough that it's clear some time has passed. Stylistically, the band's sound feels more or less intact, with its bouncy blend of pop punk energy and post-hardcore noodling coming together nicely. What feels different about the whole thing is the overall vibe at work on the album, which feels more weathered and mature than their previous work. It's clear that the bandmembers' time apart from one another has changed them, but that's not really such a bad thing. The most noticeable difference is Chuck Ragan, whose voice sounds gruffer and more forlorn than ever, something he probably owes to the time he's spent out in more folk/roots rock-oriented waters. This change in his style adds a feeling of wisdom to his vocals, giving him an aged sense of authority in his delivery that makes you want to listen to what he's got to tell you. Though Hot Water Music are, unsurprisingly, not the same band they were eight years ago, it turns out that's not such a bad thing. While the world might miss the raw energy and exuberance of their earlier work, the more precise and mature band found on Exister is still as effective, and is definitely one that fans will want to stop and catch up with.
*******************
BIOGRAPHY/AMG
Jason Ankeny
Finding the Rhythms
The Gainesville, Florida-based post-hardcore quartet Hot Water Music were formed in 1994 by bassist Jason Black, drummer George Rebelo, and singer/guitarists Chuck Ragan and Chris Wollard. Debuting in 1995 with the 7" "Eating the Filler," they soon returned with the EP Push for Coin, rounding out the year with the release of their first full-length effort, Finding the Rhythms, on No Idea. Fuel for the Hate Game followed in 1996, but in the wake of their third album, Forever and Counting, Hot Water Music disbanded. The group soon re-formed, however, with a series of split singles as well as a new 7" single, "Alachua," spread across 1998. The following year saw the release of a new studio album, No Division, as well as the Live at the Hardback set and the Moonpies for Misfits EP. Wollard and Rebelo also teamed on the side project Blacktop Cadence.
A Flight and a Crash
Flight and a Crash marked the band's first release for Epitaph and of the new millennium, soon followed by 2002's Caution. The roundup compilation Never Ender appeared in early 2004, and The New What Next followed that fall. Around the same time, No Idea also released the full-length debut of Ragan and Wollard's acoustic side project with Samantha Jones (of Bitchin'), Rumbleseat. Hot Water Music took an extended break in spring 2005, allowing Ragan to devote his time to life outside of the band. Meanwhile, the remaining bandmates went on to form the Draft with Todd Rockhill, and subsequent nationwide touring followed. A formal announcement appeared in May 2006 that HWM had officially called it quits, and the Draft continued full-time as Ragan began to issue solo acoustic material. The split didn't last long, however; Hot Water Music announced their reunion in late 2007 and embarked on a tour the following year, while No Idea issued the rarities collection Till the Wheels Fall Off that January. Exister, their first album of new material since 2004, arrived on Rise Records in 2012.
********************
WEBSITE
********************
TO THE TOP
********************
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